Abstract: In one embodiment of a method to reduce vertical position errors of an aircraft, a disturbance input acting on the aircraft may be determined. The magnitude of the disturbance may be converted into a delta lift command if the magnitude of the disturbance is outside a criteria. The delta lift command may be post processed. The delta lift command may be converted into symmetric lateral surface position commands for control surfaces. The symmetric lateral surface position commands may be communicated to lateral control surface actuators to move the control surfaces according to the symmetric lateral surface position commands.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calculating a flight path avoiding a collision with the ground when an aircraft dives towards the ground. The method includes receiving signals including information of a dive angle of the aircraft in relation to the imaginary ground plane, and a present roll angle of the aircraft, and calculating a flight path that avoids collision with the ground on the basis of the information. The calculation includes calculating a need for rolling the aircraft based on the present roll angle, and calculating a need for changing the direction of the velocity vector of the aircraft so that the change has a component in an upward direction in relation to the reference frame of the aircraft.

Abstract: A flight control system moves elevators according to a pilot command summed with an automatic command. The flight control system monitors a set of flight parameters to determine if the flight vehicle is operating inside a permitted envelope. The flight controls system incorporates automatic protections thru the automatic elevator command if the flight vehicle is close to its envelope limits. The exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation herein provides automatic protections in order to protect the flight vehicle from low speeds, high attitude, stalls and buffetings.

Abstract: A method and device to assist in the piloting of an aircraft in a landing phase may apply a maximum braking of the aircraft if there is a risk of longitudinal departure from a runway.

Abstract: An altitude profile representative of the terrain overflown by an aircraft is established. Thereafter, an altitude limit curve which comprises an intersection with the altitude profile upon the engagement of a terrain avoidance maneuver is determined. As soon as there is no longer any intersection of the limit curve with the altitude profile, the terrain avoidance maneuver is interrupted.

Abstract: The method for generating an integrated guidance law for aerodynamic missiles uses a strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm (SPEA)-based approach for generating an integrated fuzzy guidance law, which includes three separate fuzzy controllers. Each of these fuzzy controllers is activated in a unique region of missile interception. The distribution of membership functions and the associated rules are obtained by solving a nonlinear constrained multi-objective optimization problem in which final time, energy consumption, and miss distance are treated as competing objectives. A Tabu search is utilized to build a library of initial feasible solutions for the multi-objective optimization algorithm. Additionally, a hierarchical clustering technique is utilized to provide the decision maker with a representative and manageable Pareto-optimal set without destroying the characteristics of the trade-off front. A fuzzy-based system is employed to extract the best compromise solution over the trade-off curve.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods for determining attitude of a moveable object. Attitude is determined by a transformation matrix {right arrow over (U)} from a body coordinate frame of the moveable object to an inertial reference frame. The transformation matrix is determined by: (i) determining a slew rate vector, {right arrow over (?)}, for time tN for the moveable object that represents a change in direction of an angular rate vector, {right arrow over (?)}, for the moveable object over the time interval from tN?1 to tN in the body coordinate frame; (ii) determining an update to the transformation matrix for time tN that is based on a product of two matrices, the first matrix being related to a sum of {right arrow over (?)} and {right arrow over (?)}, and the second matrix being related to ?{right arrow over (?)}; and (iii) multiplying a transformation matrix for time tN?1 and the update to the transformation matrix for time tN to obtain the transformation matrix for time tN.

Abstract: A flight control system moves elevators according to a pilot command summed with an automatic command. The flight control system monitors a set of flight parameters to determine if the flight vehicle is operating inside a permitted envelope. The flight controls system incorporates automatic protections thru the automatic elevator command if the flight vehicle is close to its envelope limits. The exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation herein provides automatic protections in order to protect the flight vehicle from low speeds, high attitude, stalls and buffetings.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for executing a single continuous altitude change by an aircraft to cruise altitude using an electronic flight bag via a flight management system. The method comprises the determination of an altitude change in a flight plan during the cruise phase of the flight plan. Based on the altitude change and a mathematical model of the aircraft an optimum vertical trajectory profile or the aircraft is determined from which an angle of attack (AOA) and a thrust is derived to achieve the optimum vertical trajectory. From the AOA and the thrust, the required aircraft control variables are determined that may be applied to the engines and the control surface actuators of the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring the minimum flying altitude of an aircraft.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying assistance messages to aircraft operators are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes receiving an input from an aircraft operator at an aircraft flight deck, comparing a characteristic of the input to at least one target value for the characteristic, and, if the characteristic of the input differs from the at least one target value for the characteristic by at least a threshold amount, displaying an assistance message to the aircraft operator. The assistance message can include a complying input and/or an instruction for creating a complying input. The input and the assistance message can be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: Method, device and item of equipment for filtering alarms originating from a windshear detection system embedded in an aircraft being able to emit an alarm. The aircraft has at least one sensor allowing the acquisition of a flight parameter. The device includes: units for the calculation of the second derivative of the flight parameter, units for the calculation of the absolute value of the second derivative of the flight parameter, units for the comparison of the absolute value of the second derivative of the flight parameter with a threshold C1, units for evaluating whether the absolute value of the second derivative of the flight parameter exceeds the threshold C1 over a duration greater than a time threshold T, and units for suppressing the alarm originating from the windshear detection system.

Abstract: A reference value is arbitrarily selected from a range of possible aircraft rotation speeds. A position of a trimmable horizontal stabilizer is angled in accordance with a centering of the reference value. A deviation between the reference value and an accelerating speed value of the aircraft is determined. Elevators or the horizontal stabilizer are controlled, prior to rotation, in accordance with the determined deviation.

Abstract: A method for adjusting angle of attack feedback gain based characteristics and position of mounted stores, and a control system using the method.

Abstract: A method for estimating inertial acceleration bias errors including obtaining uncorrected acceleration measurements on board a vehicle; obtaining independent position and independent velocity data of the vehicle; transforming the uncorrected acceleration measurements into a reference frame of the independent position and independent velocity data; blending the transformed acceleration measurements with the independent position and the independent velocity data to produce feedback errors; transforming the feedback errors into the reference frame of the acceleration measurements; multiplying the feedback errors by a gain and integrating to estimate the acceleration measurement bias errors.

Abstract: The Invention is a control system for a compound aircraft. A compound aircraft has features of both a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft and provides redundant control options. The control system allows an authorized person to select any of plurality of operational objectives each of which is designed to achieve any particular command.

Abstract: A flight control system moves elevators according to a pilot command summed with an automatic command. The flight control system monitors a set of flight parameters to determine if the flight vehicle is operating inside a permitted envelope. The flight controls system incorporates automatic protections thru the automatic elevator command if the flight vehicle is close to its envelope limits. The exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation herein provides automatic protections in order to protect the flight vehicle from low speeds, high attitude, stalls and buffetings.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for operating an aircraft. Responsive to a command to hold an altitude of the aircraft, an adjustment to a pitch angle of the aircraft needed to substantially maintain the altitude of the aircraft is identified using a lift for the aircraft to form an identified adjustment to the pitch angle to reduce altitude deviations from at least one of a change in configuration of a number of flight surfaces and changes in wind. The pitch angle of the aircraft is adjusted using the identified adjustment during flight.

Abstract: A system for suggesting a course of action for a vehicle engaged in a situation includes a portion for identifying condition data that corresponds to conditions sensed from the situation. The system also includes a portion for selecting parameters associated with the condition data. The system further includes a portion for determining a suggested course of action based on the selected parameters.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying air data for an aircraft. The lift for the aircraft is identified. The number of surface positions for the aircraft is identified. The angle of attack during flight of the aircraft is identified. A synthetic dynamic pressure is computed from the lift, the number of surface positions, and the angle of attack.

Abstract: According to the invention, an altitude profile (PA) representative of the terrain overflown by the aircraft (AC) is established, and then an altitude limit curve (C) which comprises an intersection with said profile (PA) upon the engagement of a terrain avoidance maneuver is determined. As soon as there is no longer any intersection of the limit curve (C) with the altitude profile (PA), said terrain avoidance maneuver is interrupted.

Abstract: Method and system for evaluating and implementing air traffic management tools and approaches for managing and avoiding an air traffic incident before the incident occurs. The invention provides flight plan routing and direct routing or wind optimal routing, using great circle navigation and spherical Earth geometry. The invention provides for aircraft dynamics effects, such as wind effects at each altitude, altitude changes, airspeed changes and aircraft turns to provide predictions of aircraft trajectory (and, optionally, aircraft fuel use). A second system provides several aviation applications using the first system. These applications include conflict detection and resolution, miles-in trail or minutes-in-trail aircraft separation, flight arrival management, flight re-routing, weather prediction and analysis and interpolation of weather variables based upon sparse measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric flight control system for aircraft elevators. According to the invention, the flight control system can be controlled in terms of load factor or rate of pitch. The inventive system comprises built-in protections in relation to load factor, incidence and pitch attitude.

Abstract: A method for calculating a flight path avoiding a collision with the ground when an aircraft dives towards the ground. The method includes receiving signals including information of a dive angle of the aircraft in relation to the imaginary ground plane, and a present roll angle of the aircraft, and calculating a flight path that avoids collision with the ground on the basis of the information. The calculation includes calculating a need for rolling the aircraft based on the present roll angle, and calculating a need for changing the direction of the velocity vector of the aircraft so that the change has a component in an upward direction in relation to the reference frame of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for vertical gust suppression due to turbulence for an aircraft having at least one of direct lift control surfaces or pitch control surfaces. The method includes sensing atmospheric turbulence, measuring the sensed atmospheric turbulence to generate turbulence data, generating a command based on the turbulence data, and applying the command to aircraft controls to actuate the direct lift control surfaces or the pitch control surfaces based on the turbulence data. Therefore, an aircraft response to the actuation of the direct lift control surfaces or the pitch control surfaces reduces a vertical acceleration, a pitch acceleration, a pitch rate, a pitch attitude or a structural load of the aircraft due to the turbulence. Thus, the method reduces the effects of vertical gusts of wind on the aircraft, improves the comfort level for aircraft passengers and crew, and reduces diversions the aircraft may take to avoid the turbulence.

Abstract: A computer-aided method suitable for assisting in the design of an aircraft by providing the dimensioning aerodynamic forces and other relevant values comprising the following steps: a) Selecting a set of parameters of the aircraft, being said aerodynamic forces and other relevant values dependant of said parameters; b) Performing flow field CFD RANS computations for a number N1 of different combination of values of said parameters; c) Obtaining said aerodynamic forces and other relevant values for whatever combination of values of said parameters through a reduced-order model, generated by computing the POD modes of the flow variables, expanding the flow variables using said POD modes and obtaining the POD coefficients of said expanded flow variables using a genetic algorithm that minimizes the error associated to the expansion of the Navier-Stokes equations. The invention also refers to a system for carrying out said method.

Abstract: An objective of the invention, focusing on these issues involved in the use of a small, hobby-type, unmanned helicopter, is to develop an autonomous control system comprising autonomous control systems for a small unmanned helicopter, to be mounted on said small unmanned helicopter; a servo pulse mixing/switching unit; a radio-controlled pulse generator; and autonomous control algorithms that are appropriate for the autonomous control of the aforementioned small unmanned helicopter, thereby providing an autonomous control system that provides autonomous control on the helicopter toward target values.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a method to reduce vertical position errors of an aircraft, a disturbance input acting on the aircraft may be determined. The magnitude of the disturbance may be converted into a delta lift command if the magnitude of the disturbance is outside a criteria. The delta lift command may be post processed. The delta lift command may be converted into symmetric lateral surface position commands for control surfaces. The symmetric lateral surface position commands may be communicated to lateral control surface actuators to move the control surfaces according to the symmetric lateral surface position commands.

Abstract: A flight control system moves elevators according to a pilot command summed with an automatic command. The flight control system monitors a set of flight parameters to determine if the flight vehicle is operating inside a permitted envelope. The flight controls system incorporates automatic protections thru the automatic elevator command if the flight vehicle is close to its envelope limits. The exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation herein provides automatic protections in order to protect the flight vehicle from low speeds, high attitude, stalls and buffetings.

Abstract: A take off ground effects compensated angle of attack system includes a radio altimeter and/or timer, a pitch angle system and a flight control computer. The radio altimeter generates a signal which is indicative of the aircraft's altitude from 0 i.e., weight off wheels to an altitude of ½ the wing span of the aircraft. The angle of attack system simultaneously generates a signal which is indicative of the aircraft's angle of attack without compensation for ground effects. Therefore, a ground effects signal of from 1½° to 0° is generated and added to the angle of attack signal as the aircraft climbs from 0 ft. to an altitude which is equal to ½ the wing span of the aircraft. The ground effects signal is added to the angle of attack signal to provide a ground effects compensated angle of attacks signal which is then fed to the flight control computer or display.

Abstract: An airborne windshear detection and warning system includes a pitot tube for detecting the airspeed of an aircraft and an angle of attack vane for detecting an aircraft's angle of attack. Signals are generated and fed to a signal processor for determining a relationship between the airspeed and the aircraft's angle of attack. A signal indicative of the aircraft's normal relationship plus or minus a preselected value is also input into the signal processor. Then when the actual relationship exceeds the normal value plus or minus the preselected value for a preselected period of time, a signal is generated by the signal processor and is an indication of a hazardous windshear. A warning is then given to the pilot to take immediate corrective action.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a location of a vehicle, the method comprises determining reception location data within a first cell of a work area for a vehicle. A reception quality estimator estimates reception quality data for the corresponding reception location data for the first cell. Optical location data is determined within a first cell of a work area for a vehicle. An optical quality estimator estimates optical quality data for the corresponding optical location data for the first cell. A data processor selects at least one of the reception location data and the optical location data as refined location data associated with the first cell based on the estimated reception quality data and estimated optical quality data.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the attitude of an aircraft may employ spoilers that are arranged on the wings of the aircraft and whose respective angular positions can be adjusted by controllable actuators. A command attitude determining section determines a command attitude of the aircraft corresponding to an attitude that the aircraft must achieve. A command position calculator calculates command positions of the spoilers, corresponding to particular angular positions of the spoilers, making it possible to bring the aircraft to the command attitude. A control instruction calculator calculates control instructions for the controllable actuators, making it possible to bring the spoilers into the command positions, and applies the control instructions to the spoiler actuators.

Abstract: A method and system which allow a user to define and edit workflow applications for a mobile device, screens associated with the applications, and workflow process is described. The states or schemas for these applications may be stored as records in databases.

Abstract: The flight control indicator may include a set of information sources, a computation unit connected to said set of information sources, and a head-up display device. The computation unit determines, on the basis of information emanating from the set of information sources, at least one maximum total slope of the aircraft. The maximum total slope corresponds to the maximum thrust and is obtained on the basis of the measurement of the current performance of the aircraft, extrapolated to the condition of maximum slope and in anticipation of an engine fault. The head-up display device presents, on a display screen, at least one indicator which indicates the maximum total slope and which is presented superimposed on the environment existing in front of the aircraft.

Abstract: A control system includes a rate-damping loop that uses a calculated angle-of attack error to non-linearly scale a rate-feedback signal so that at lower angle-of attack (AOA) error values, an acceleration feedback term plays a greater role in pitch compensation, while at greater angle-of-attack error values, a rate-feedback term plays a greater role in the pitch compensation. In some embodiments, a control system and method of controlling an angle-of-attack of a moving body are provided. A signal representing an angle-of-attack error is non-linearly combined with a signal representing a rate-of-change of an estimated angle-of-attack to generate a non-linear rate-damping signal. The non-linear rate-damping signal is subtracted from the signal representing the angle-of-attack error to generate a signal to control one or more elements of the moving body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel primary flight displays, moving map displays and engine parameter displays for aircraft cockpits. These displays process data gathered from various aircraft sensors and, using an various electronic databases, generate intuitive symbols that aid the pilot. The present invention also uses various novel algorithms that use data gathered from inexpensive sensors to derive parameters normally requiring far more expensive sensors.

Abstract: The device (1) for aiding piloting comprises means (2) for determining a speed vector of the aircraft, means of depiction (4) for presenting on a display screen (6) a first characteristic sign illustrating the speed vector of the aircraft, and auxiliary means (7) for determining at least one longitudinal margin of maneuver of the aircraft, which is expressed as a load factor and which relates to one of the two maneuvers of pitch-up and of pitch-down of the aircraft. The means of depiction (4) moreover present, on the display screen (6), at least one second characteristic sign which is associated with said first characteristic sign and which illustrates the longitudinal margin of maneuver.

Abstract: A computational air data method and system for estimating angle-of-attack and angle-of-sideslip of an aircraft utilizing a detailed aerodynamic model of the aircraft, extended Kalman filters, inertial system measurements of body rates and body accelerations, and computation of dynamic pressure.

Abstract: An improved transportation scheduling method for scheduling a plurality of trips T1-Tn using a plurality of vehicles V1-Vn, each of said plurality of vehicles having a trip manifest. The method comprises the steps of: (a) generating a useability matrix that determines which of said plurality of vehicles V1-Vn is useable with each of said plurality of trips T1-Tn; (b) determining a best trip of said plurality of trips T1-Tn to be scheduled next; (c) determining a best vehicle from said plurality of vehicles V1-Vn for accommodating said best trip; (d) determining a best insertion pair into said trip manifest of said best vehicle for said best trip and updating said trip manifest to include said best insertion pair; (e) updating said useability matrix to reflect the scheduling of said best trip on said best vehicle; and (f) repeating steps (a)-(e) until all of the trips in said plurality of trips T1-Tn have been scheduled.

Abstract: A method for installation alignment of an inertial reference unit (IRU) with vehicle axes when the IRU is installed within the vehicle is provided. The vehicle axes include roll, pitch, and yaw axes. The method includes recording vehicle angular position data including roll and pitch, using an angular position measurement device with the vehicle being in a starting position, recording IRU data including roll and pitch, receiving measured nose plunge data, computing initial roll and pitch misalignment corrections, applying initial roll and pitch misalignment corrections to measured nose plunge data. A nose plunge yaw misalignment is determined using corrected nose plunge data and utilized to adjust the assumed heading reference.

Abstract: A stratospheric flying object which is placed in the stratosphere of the earth has an airship-shaped flying object body, a despun platform unit mounted on the flying object body by a mount, and a controller for detecting an azimuthal angle of the despun platform unit in a horizontal plane and controlling the platform unit to face in a constant direction at all times within the horizontal plane. Preferably, directional antennas and telescopes for optical communications are mounted on the despun platform unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing a pursuing vehicle, such as a torpedo, on an intercept trajectory from a launching vehicle to a target vehicle with evasion capabilities. The guidance system bases a solution on vectors on a first Cartesian coordinate system. Evasive maneuvers for the target vehicle are based upon vectors on a second Cartesian coordinate system. The guidance system converts the evasive maneuver to the first coordinate system and then performs an iterative process using initial guidance parameter values to determine, upon convergence of the solutions, final guidance parameters for the target vehicle.

Abstract: An air data sensing probe such as a multi-function probe includes a barrel having multiple pressure sensing ports for sensing multiple pressures. Instrumentation coupled to the pressure sensing ports provides electrical signals indicative of the pressures. An inertial navigation system input of the probe receives electrical signals indicative of inertial navigation data for the aircraft. A neural network of the probe receives as inputs the electrical signals indicative of the multiple pressures and the electrical signals indicative of the inertial navigation data. The neural network is trained or configured to provide as an output, electrical signals indicative of an air data parameter.

Abstract: In an iterative method of determining aircraft flight data parameters using first and second multi-function probes, an assumed value of a first aircraft parameter is defined to be equal to an initial value. Using the assumed value of the first aircraft parameter together with the respective local angles of attack determined at first and second multi-function probes, first and second estimates of a second aircraft parameter are calculated and compared. If the first and second estimates of the second aircraft parameter are within tolerance of each other, then the first aircraft parameter is approximately equal to the assumed value, and the second aircraft parameter is determined from the first and second estimates. If the first and second estimates of the second aircraft parameter are not within tolerance of each other, then an iterative process is continued to correctly determine the first and second parameters.

Abstract: A flight control system automatically recognizes safety-critical flight conditions and transmits timely guidance to the pilot for correcting such flight conditions. The flight control system includes a computer which runs parallel to the flight control computer, and uses fuzzy logic to carry out risk evaluations with respect to actual flight conditions using knowledge bases implemented in the flight control system. The results of these risk evaluations are displayed in the cockpit.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus which can improve convenience of navigation by starting assisting of the movement without delay by inferring a predetermined route. This navigation apparatus includes a system controlling unit for setting a predetermined route which a vehicle travels, for inferring whether or not the vehicle deviates from a predetermined route and continues during travel of the vehicle along a predetermined route, when it is inferred that the vehicle deviates from the predetermined route, which then begins to set an inferred predetermined route where the vehicle should travel after deviating from the predetermined route.

Abstract: An air data sensing probe such as a multifunction probe includes a barrel having multiple pressure sensing ports for sensing multiple pressures. Instrumentation coupled to the pressure sensing ports provides electrical signals indicative of the pressures. An inertial navigation system input of the probe receives electrical signals indicative of inertial navigation data for the aircraft. A neural network of the probe receives as inputs the electrical signals indicative of the multiple pressures and the electrical signals indicative of the inertial navigation data. The neural network is trained or configured to provide as an output, electrical signals indicative of an air data parameter.

Abstract: A smart probe assembly for an aircraft includes pressure sensing ports for sensing pressures indicating angle of attack, static pressure and pitot pressure, a circuit housing mounted on said probe includes cards for a central processing unit, and also includes a global positioning satellite receiver. An antennae for the global positioning satellite receiver is mounted adjacent to the probe, on a mounting plate so that the antennae is protruding from the aircraft without cutting an additional hole in the aircraft skin, the inputs from the global positioning satellite are used for providing various flight performance information.

Abstract: Apparatus for estimating a first height (1) of a vehicle (2) above a first reference surface (3), including a system (4) for determining position, velocity and attitude incorporating at least one sensing means (4b) operable to provide an output signal (5) indicative of a vertical specific force of the vehicle, error-estimating means (6) for receiving as input signals a horizontal reference velocity and position (4a) of the vehicle (2), and a radar altimeter measurement (7) of a second height (1b) of the vehicle (2) above a second reference surface (8) and for providing as an output signal (9) estimates of errors associated with the sensing means output signal (5), and integrating means (10) for receiving said sensing means and error-estimating means output signals (5, 9), and for subtracting the estimates of errors from the signal (5) indicative of vertical specific force while performing a double integration of the results of the subtraction, to provide an output indicative of the required estimated first he